Aktiubinsk

Aqtöbe (Kazakh: Ð?қтөбе; Russian: Ð?ктюбинÑ?к or Aktyubinsk; alternative transliteration: Aktöbe) is a city on the Ilek River in Kazakhstan. With a population of 267,000, it is the capital of Aqtöbe Province. Aqtöbe has an influential Jewish community.

Aqtöbe was founded in 1869. The city developed extensively during World War II as a center for ferroalloys and chromium.

The name "Aqtöbe" comes from Kazakh "aq" (white) and "töbe" (hill); supposedly Aqtöbe's initial settlers were able to see white mountains far to the north. Aqtöbe is also very well known for its flight school. During the Soviet Era many pilots were trained there.